So I'm actually excited because I can do whatever I want for this first time wedding cake. Basically my church is having a special day in Feb, where if couples want to get married, but cannot afford it, they can get married, kind of like Vegas style, hehe. So as a member of my church I volunteered to make the wedding cake, since they weren't really going to do anything special.

The brides are going to wear gowns and the whole thing is going to be fun and easy going. So far there are about 3 couples getting married that day. Our church has about 400 people. I am trying to think of the cheapest and easiest way for me to do this, and am looking for any tips.

Like should I decorate a dummy, so they can get pictures taken with the cake, and just do up a bunch of sheet cakes, or should I do cupcakes instead with a 6 inch topper for each couple to take home to save for their 1 yr anniversary?

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

I think you should definitely do a topper for each couple. I mean most couples really would a appreciate that I think.

I like the cupcake idea. But that would be a lot of cupcakes, do you want to spend the time to decorate that many cupcakes.

The Dummy Cake with Sheet cakes in the back, would be great for each couple to get the picture. You can decorate the dummy cake rather simple, and It would take less time then 400 cupcakes. The sheet cakes can also be simple. You can do things simple but elegant. Like a white cake with a ribbon, and some flowers.

For the topper cake you really would only need a very small round or square, or what ever shape you need.

I think its great your doing this. It gives me hope that there are still good people left in this world.

WOW you are amazing. I would not have thought a church would do something like that but the fact that you volunteered you time and designs with people for free make me inspired. My thought would be to make each couple a small 6" cake for themselves to take home to save for 1 year and then just do a few sheet cakes to feed the whole church. I think that you should make a base that has all 3 cakes kinda cascade down into the sheet cakes would be awesome and the couples could take pictures like that. I am sure that each couple would just be happy with the fact that they have someone who cares enough to help make their day as special as it can be. Again thanks so much for being an inspiration to me and other decorators here at CC. Please dont forget to post pictures after you do the cakes. i would love to see the final result! Also what i do is start drawing ideas and go from there. I change things so much and always end up doing something way different then the final design. And the couples might actually like a drawing of their cake to cherish forever. even if it is just a quick sketch. you could even get little picture frames from the dollar store and give each one that special gift. Good luck. and best wishes!

For this type of event, I like the idea of a dummy. It will give you a stress free, long time (if you want) to decorate your first wedding cake cake. Then, maybe individual 6" double's for each couple, maybe set up satelite style around the dummy. If you get more couples, it could be a grand display! Serve kitchen cakes for the guests. I hope you are getting some sort of financial donations?

Thanks everyone for your ideas! I'm not getting any money, but what I am getting is experience and a picture to add to my portfolio for when I do decide to do weddings. I just love my church and really wanted to help out any way I could.